"Surprise!!"

Delilah stood in front of Donovan with the biggest grin on her face. Her children, Jason, and Julie had decorated the hotel room and kitchen for her birthday.

"Happy birthday, Mommy! I got you a fish!" Olivia presented a fish ornament to her mother who took it graciously.

"Oh, honey, I love it. You didn't have to get me anything! None of you had to do all of this, but I thank you so much."

"Happy birthday, baby," Donovan kissed her cheek, reminding of of their neverending passion aboard the yacht.

That day she actually did walk a little crookedly.

"Oh, this is amazing!! You are all so good to me!" Delilah was almost in tears at how much she was loved by the people in that room.

Donovan had a ton of gifts wrapped for her, but he wanted to give Julie and the kids their time with their relative

Jason stepped back to talk to him.

"Congratulations on the yes, Dad," Jason hugged his father who was still rolling with adrenaline from the last few nights.

"Thanks, Jase. I'm... .well, that's why I ran it by you and your brothers. I never wanted to make a decision like this without your blessing. I love her so much, but I never wanted you to feel like I was replacing your mother."

Jason looked back at Julie who was admiring Delilah's ring.

"No, I know you'd never be that guy, Dad. You made a great decision with her. Delilah's been a blessing to you–to all of us, really. Mom loves her, too."

Donovan followed his son's gaze and smirked, "Julie's a lot like her aunt."

"Oh, Aunt Delilah! I'm so happy for you!" Julie and the kids were ecstatic about Donovan being a part of their family and Delilah was soon letting the children know that there was no wedding date just yet.

"Can I be a flower girl?" Olivia asked,"Me and Bea?"

Donovan motioned for Julie to get something from the kitchen.

"I think we could arrange something," Donovan winked at his fiance, "Alright, everyone!"

Singing commenced as Julie and Jason brought out the huge three tier chocolate cake with a huge heart candie on top of it, it's flame flickering wildly.

"Happy birthday, dear... "

"Mommy!"

"Aunt Delilah!"

"Miss Delilah!"

"My queen..."

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Go on, baby," Donovan leaned in,"Make a wish."

Delilah smiled and blew out the candle. Her dreams were already coming true.

"Delilah... earth to the future Mrs. Donovan Dixon!"

Millie waved her hand in front of Delilah's face as the two sat in the back of their store going over the books.

Delilah's mind had wandered again, her thoughts jumping from Donovan to the kids to Miranda and Brett.

Jessica knocked on the door, her scowl indicative of the customer who'd stepped in.

"I'll go," Delilah said, her stomach in knots. The pain was coming out of nowhere and her nausea came in waves.

It had been a month since Donovan left to go back to Dubai after jetting back to the States with his queen.

"Brett? Are you alright? What's happening?"

Brett scowled, but he wasn't menacing.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement."

Millie stepped out from the hallway and coughed.

"Don't you work?"

"I'm on my break, Medusa," Brett rolled his eyes, "Delilah, can I talk to you–alone?"

Millie almost protested, but Delilah wasn't hearing it.

She agreed, grabbing her heavy coat and heading out to Brett's truck which was still running.

Warmth encompassed her as they settled in to the cab.

"What's going on, Brett? What's urgent?"

"I just wanted to see you, Del. I wanted to see if we can arrange a new custody situation with the kids."

Delilah sighed. She didn't want to discuss the children when she still had so many questions about Miranda.

"Brett, what about the Tahoe?"

"It wasn't her and you know it."

Delilah knew it, but something didn't feel right.

"What custody are you suggesting?"

"Joint."

"Not happening. They barely want to go over there as it is," Delilah told him, "My children have stories they're willing to tell the judge."

"Are you fucking marrying this guy to take my kids from me?!"

"Don't be that way, Brett. I would never keep them from you unless I had reason and I have reason. Look at how you're acting now."

Brett sneered.

"I'm clean, I'm going to AA! My jobs aren't taking me away anymore and I haven't even bothered you until today! Hell, I sent you a fucking birthday card!"

Delilah stared at him, the man she once loved, who'd cared for her and fathered her children.

So many good years, overlapped by the bad ones.

"And I thanked you for the card, Brett. You'll need to do better than this," Delilah said, looking down at his arm, "Fighting again?"

Brett pulled his sweater down his arms and scoffed.

"I work in construction. I get hurt a lot and you know it."

Delilah sighed, "You're not being honest with me again. You don't look at me when you're lying. Look at me, Brett. Tell me what's going on!"

"Let me see my kids more, Delilah. I need to see them."

"No," Delilah shook her head as Brett turned to glare at her, "Not until this ends."

"You'll be sorry for all of this, Delilah. You promised to never keep them from me and now you've got that fucking millionaire big shit to fuck me over in court!"

"We're done here!" Delilah got out of the truck, but could hear Brett yelling after her.

"You don't know what's coming, Delilah! You've no fucking clue!"

Delilah rushed into the store, watching as Brett sped off.

It was true. Delilah had no idea what was coming, but she'd soon find out.